Blues Hall Of Famer Little Milton is simply one of the greatest bluesmen of the modern era- every bit as deserving of the acclaim a B.B. King enjoys. Blessed with a thick, hearty soul/blues voice Milton also proved to be a top guitarist and songwriter. James Milton Campbell was born September 7, 1934, in Inverness, MS, and grew up in Greenville. (He would later legally drop the "James" after learning of a half-brother with the same name.) His father Big Milton, a farmer, was a local blues musician. At age 12 he began playing guitar and by 15 he was performing for pay in local clubs and bars. He got a chance to briefly back Sonny Boy Williamson (Rice Miller). Ike Turner, who was also a talent scout for Sun Records introduce Little Milton to Sam Phillips, who signed him to a contract in 1953. With Ike Turner and band band backing him, Milton cut various Sun sides. Unfortunately, none of them were hits, and Milton's association with Sun was over by the end of 1954. He set about forming his own band, which waxed one single for the small Meteor label in 1957, before picking up and moving to St. Louis in 1958.

In St. Louis, Milton and DJ Bob Lyons set up their own label, Bobbin, which, by Milton's doing, signed Albert King. Little Milton's first Bobbin single, "I'm a Lonely Man," sold 60,000 copies. Although none of his, Albert King's or Fontella Bass' Bobbin singles charted they sold well enough to strike a distribution deal with Chess Records. Milton himself switched over to the Chess subsidiary Checker in 1961 and scored his first hit, "So Mean To Me" (#14 R & B) in 1962. After subsequent singles failed to chart he hit the big time in 1965 when "We're Gonna Make It" hit number one on the R&B charts and even managed #25 on the pop charts. Some say it was aided by the civil rights movement. Milton hit the R & B charts 13 more times for Checker, most notably with "Grits Ain't Groceries" (13 R & B), "Who's Cheating Who" (#4 R & B), "Feel So Bad" (#7 R & B), "Baby I Love You" (#6 R & B) and "If Walls Could Talk" (#10 R & B).

In 1972 Milton Memphis-based soul label Stax ."That's What Love Will Make You Do" returned Milton to the R & B Top 10 (#9) and Milton had several more soul blues hits with the label. Nevertheless, Stax went bankrupt in 1975, upon which point Little Milton moved to the TK/Glades label, which was better known for its funk and disco. His music was funked up like most artists of the time, but managed a #15 R & B placing for the classic"Friend of Mine" and scored a few other minor charters. TK/Glades folded soon after as well and Milton recorded one album for Evidence, which contained a rough version of his great "The Blues Is Alright" and then cut one LP for MCA.

In 1984 Milton signed with Malaco, perfectly filling the void created at Malaco with the death Z.Z. HIll. Milton's recordings continued the soul blues revival Hill had started in 1980. Over the next two decades Milton cut 14 albums for Malaco- all of generally high quality full of crispy soul blues, down home soul & even standards.
Milton passed away in 2006.

Album Discography

"We're Gonna Make It" (Checker 1965)

1 We're Gonna Make It
2 If Walls Could Talk
3 So Mean to Me
4 Let Me Down Easy
5 Blind Man
6 Feel So Bad
7 Man Loves Two
8 Let's Get Together
9 You're Welcome to the Club
10 Blues in the Night

1. Let Me Down Easy
2. Grits Ain't Groceries
3. Blind Man
4. I Can't Quit You Baby
5. That's What Love Will Make You Do
6. Walking the Back Streets and Crying

***Smokin'
live album featuring fleshed out version of Checker hits like "Let
Me Down Easy" & "Blind Man". There's also a ripping version of
"That's What Love Will Make You Do".

"If Walls Could Talk" (Checker 1970)

1. If Walls Could Talk
2. Baby I Love You
3. Let's Get Together
4. Things I Used to Do, The
5. Kansas City
6. Poor Man's Song
7. Blues Get off My Shoulder
8. I Play Dirty
9. Good to Me as I Am to You
10. Your Precious Love
11. I Don't Know

1. It's Amazing
2. Who Can Handle Me Is You
3. Woman, You Don't Have to Be So Cold
4. Thrill Is Gone, The
5. Monologue I/That's How Strong My Love Is: Monologue I / That's
How Strong My Love Is
6. What It Is
7. Little Bluebird

***Soulful
blues LP for Stax includes three Milton originals ("Woman, You Don't
Have To Be So Cold", "What It Is" & "Who Can Handle Me Is You".
There's also an eleven minute cover of Otis Redding's "That's How
Strong My Love is" with a lengthy monologue by Milton.

"What It Is" (Stax 1973)

1. Spring
2. Let Me Down Easy
3. We're Gonna Make It
4. Blind Man
5. Tell Me It's Not True
6. That's What Love Will Make You Do
7. What It Is

****Second
live LP in four years on Stax was recorded at the Montreux Blues &
Jazz Festival. An 8 minute version of "That's What Love Will Make
You Do" appears here and, in an edited form, was released as a
single hitting #9 on R & B charts (#59 Pop). A fine, epic-length
(nearly 13 minutes) slow blues, "Tell Me It's Not True", has Milton
tearing off many a guitar solo.

"Blues N' Soul" (Stax 1974)

1. Woman Across the River
2. Behind Closed Doors
3. Sweet Woman of Mine
4. Worried Dreamer
5. How Could You Do It to Me
6. You're No Good
7. 'Tain't Nobody's Bizness If I Do
8. Hard Luck Blues

1. In View Chico
Hamilton
2. Let Me Down Easy Little Milton
3. We're Gonna Make It Little Milton
4. Don't Make No Sense Albert King
5. Call It Stormy Monday Albert King
6. For The Love Of A Woman Albert King

"Tin Pan Alley" (Stax 1975)

1. If That Ain't a Reason (For Your Woman to
Leave You)
2. Mr. Mailman (I Don't Want No Letter)
3. I'm Living off the Love You Give
4. That's What Love Will Make You Do
5. I'm Gonna Cry a River
6. Rainy Day
7. Lovin' Stick
8. Tin Pan Alley
9. Let Me Back In
10. Let Your Loss Be Your Lesson
11. If You Talk in Your Sleep
12. Packed up and Took My Mind

****Collection
of Stax singles. Tracks include "That's What Love Will Make You Do",
"If That Ain't A Reason (For Your Woman To Leave You)" & Tyrone
Davis' "Let Me Back In"

****1/2One
of his strongest overall albums includes the #15 R & B smash "Friend
Of Mine", a funky soul number with a typically captivating vocal
from Milton. Other funky soul blues notables include "Baby It Ain't
No Way" & "Bring It On Back". There's also a terrific takes on the
classic "You're Gonna Make Me Cry".

***1/2 Second
funked-up soul blues album on Glades is a small step down from
the first. Interestingly the album's highlight, Milton's own "4:59",
is a slow blues in a traditional style rather than the funky blues
formula of the rest of the album. Still the album provided two
moderate R&B hits. "Lovin You (Is The Best Thing To Happen To Me)"
hit #47 while "Just One Step" managed a #59 placing. There's also a
surprisingly great version from an unlikely source, Sam Cooke, as
Milton does "Sugar Dumpling".

"Walkin' The Back Streets" (Stax 1981)

1. Walking the Back Streets and
Crying
2. Before the Honeymoon
3. Somebody's Tears
4. Blue Monday
5. Married Woman
6. Eight Men, Four Women
7. Open the Door to Your Heart
8. Letter Full of Tears
9. Bet You I'll Win

***Strong
collection of material recorded for but not released by Stax in the
period 1969-1975. Fabulous slow blues workout in "Walking The Back
Streets & Crying" is the top cut, but the smoky blues funk of
"Somebody's Tears" and soul swagger of "Bet You I'll Win" aren't far
behind.

Jackie Ross Little Milton "In Perspective" (Golden Ear 1981)

1 I Like Your Loving
2 Patching Up The Wound
3 Street Girl
4 I’m In Love With You
5 I Need You Baby
6 We’re Gonna Make It
7 One Hand Wash The Other
8 Let Me Down Easy
9 Ain’t No Fun To Me
10 Teach Me
11 I’m Back / And This Time To Stay
12 No Matter Where You Go
13 Love Master
14 Nothing Beats A Failure
15 The Cost Of Living
16 I Think I’m Losing You

"I Need Your Love So Bad" (Golden Ear 1982)

1. Catch the Plane
2. You Ought to be Here with Me
3. I Need Your Love So Bad
4. I Wake Up Crying
5. Cost Of Living
6. Welcome to the Club
7. Man's Temptation
8. Believe in Me
9. Without My Sweet Baby
10. Don't Leave Her

***

Obscure
record collects both sides of two 45s Milton recorded for Golden Ear
and released in 1980 ("Catch The Plane", "You Ought To Be With Me",
"I Need Your Love So Bad", "I Wake Up Crying") and combines them
with a duet with Jackie Ross ("Street Girl") and tracks from Chess
(including "Man's Temptation", "Believe In Me", "Without My Sweet
Baby", "Don't Leave Her"). While half of the tracks appear to be the
same versions as found on Chess compilations the five non-chess cuts
appear to be found nowhere else, making this essential for
collectors.

"The Blues is Alright" (Isabel 1983,
Evidence 1993)

1. Blues Is Alright, The
2. How Could You Do It to Me
3. Bad Luck Is Falling
4. Chains and Things
5. Walking the Back Streets and Crying
6. I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water
7. I'm Diggin' You
8. Things Have Got to Change

**1/2Rough,
rugged session for Evidence in 1982 is notable for the first version
of the classic title cut. Overall the album lacks polish and
Milton's voice is slightly hoarse but if you're looking for a raw
album from Milton this is the closest you'll get for a studio set.

"Age Ain't Nothin' But A Number" (MCA 1983)

1. Age Ain't Nothin But a Number
2. Gotta Keep Our Love Alive
3. Let It Be Me
4. I Wanna Love You
5. Don't Leave Me
6. Living on the Dark Side of Love
7. Guess How Much I Love You
8. Why Are You So Hard to Please

***Mainstream-leaning
soul record featuring his last charting single- the title track
peaked at #89. "Don't Leave Me" is also a good pop tune. The
keyboard-laden production is the closest Milton ever got to straight
ahead R & B.

"His Greatest Sides" (Chess 1984)

1. Grits
Ain't Groceries
2. I Play Dirty
3. Just A Little Bit
4. Who's Cheating Who?
5. Losing Hand
6. Blind Man
7. More And More
8. If Walls Could Talk
9. We're Gonna Make It
10. Baby I Love You
11. Man Loves Two
12. So Mean To Me
13. Without My Sweet Baby
14. Feel So Bad

"Playing For Keeps" (Malaco 1984)

1. You're Gonna Have a Murder on
Your Hands
2. Nobody's Sleeping in My Bed
3. Fishing in the Right Stream
4. I'll Catch You on Your Way Down
5. Comeback Kind of Love
6. Blues Is Alright, The
7. Misty Blue
8. Only Thing That Saved Me, The
9. Don't You Know
10. Goodnight My Love

****Malaco
Records is the new home for Little Milton and he starts off with one
of the best of his career. "The Blues is Alright" is here in easily
the best version on record- it is juke joint heaven. More upbeat
soul blues goodies ("The Only Thing That Saved Me", "Comeback Kind
Of Loving"), straight blues ("I'll Catch You On Your Way Back
Down"), expertly sung ballads ("Misty Blue" & "Goodnight My Love")
and there's even a tasty 70s-ish disco song called "Don't You Know"!
This set kept the soul blues momentum started by Z.Z. Hill alive.
Hill started a soul blues revival in 1980 with "Down Home Blues" for
Malaco but died in 1984- the same year they signed Milton.
Interestingly, the song "Fishing In The Right Stream" is nearly
identical to Hill's "Shade Tree Mechanic". But Milton's talents far
exceed those of Mr. Hill.

"I Will Survive" (Malaco 1985)

1.I Will Survive
2.(I Wonder if You Know) How Blessed You Are
2.Jealousy
3.I Had A Talk With My Baby Tonight
4.Come To Me
5.I Ain't Gonna Tell On Myself
6.4:59 AM
7.It Just Goes To Show
8.We're Gonna Make It

***Second
Malaco set features the emotive title cut (no relation to the disco
classic of the same name!) and an update of "We're Gonna Make It".
Milton also does a superior version of his slow blues "4:59 a.m.".
Unfortunately this LP has yet to be released on cd.

"Annie Mae's Cafe" (Malaco 1986)

1. I'm at the End of My Rainbow
2. Real Good Woman, A
3. Breakaway Clean
4. Copyright on Your Love
5. Cheatin' Is a Risky Business
6. Annie Mae's Cafe
7. This Must Be the Blues
8. Too Hurt to Cry
9. You're My Strongest Weakness
10. Why Can't We Be Together

***1/2Milton
gives a ferociously strong vocal to the Mosley & Johnson opener "I'm
At The End Of The Rainbow" in what could have been one of Milton's
best overall LPs for the label had it not been for some throwaway
tracks. The deep blues of the title cut is pure Milton- soulful
vocals and crisp blues guitar pickin'. "Cheatin' Is A Risky
Business" probably got the most airplay and two George Jackson songs
provide the soul ("Why Can't We Be Together" & "You're My Strongest
Weakness").

"Movin' To The Country" (Malaco 1987)

1. You Just Can't Take My Blues
2. Movin' to the Country
3. His Old Lady and My Old Lady
4. You're So Cold
5. Just Because You See Me Smilin'
6. Room 244
7. Lovin' on Borrowed Time
8. Possum in My Tree, A
9. At This Moment
10. Have You Ever Loved a Woman

***1/2Contains
the great "tragic" blues song "His Old Lady And My Old Lady" where
Milton and a stranger are talking about their women in a bar and it
turns out that Milton's "old lady" and the stranger's "old lady" are
the SAME lady! Album also contains one of Milton's best southern
soul songs, "Room 244" and thumping soul blues "You Just Can't Take
My Blues".

"Back To Back" (Malaco 1988)

1. I Was Tryin' Not to Break Down
2. Caught in the Act (Of Gettin' It On)
3. You Can't Trust Your Neighbor
4. Penitentiary Blues
5. (I Had) Too Much Heaven Last Night
6. I Don't Believe in Ghosts
7. It's Hard to Explain
8. End of the Rainbow, The
9. Fast Young Lady
10. Wind Beneath My Wings

****One
of Milton's more soul-slanted releases contains the hit "Caught In
The Act (Of Gettin' It On)" and scrumptious horn-fueled soul of "I
Had Too Much Heaven Last Night". There's solid straight blues here
in "Penitentiary Blues" and a brilliant story blues by George
Jackson in "I Don't Believe In Ghosts" where Milton keeps seeing a
man in his house despite his woman claiming he's only seeing things.
This album focuses on Milton's voice more than anything as he shows
his chops on McKinley Mitchell's "The End Of The Rainbow" and the
maudlin "The Wind Beneath My Wings". Milton could be a straight
lounge singer if he so desired.

****Milton's
first recordings from 1953-1954 reveal he had not developed his own
sound yet as he tries various styles from B.B. King blues,
jump-blues, Elmore James-isms. The raw talent is riveting- the
wailing vocals and ripping guitar. He even does some Fats Domino
impressions on "Beggin' My Baby" yet all the songs are by Milton
himself.

"Too Much Pain" (Malaco 1990)

1. Bad Dream
2. Cradle Is Robbin' Me, The
3. Still in Love with You
4. Runaway
5. Woman I Love, The
6. Your Wife Is Cheating on Us
7. Too Much Pain
8. Gonna' Start a Rumor
9. Count the Days

***Another
good Malaco soul blues meal from the great one includes the funny
"Bad Dream" & "The Cradle Is Robbin' Me". In the former Milton's
woman tells him he's just having a "bad dream" when he catches her
in the wrong and on the latter Milton points out that although he's
dating a much younger woman she's robbin' him because she's high
maintenance!

"Reality" (Malaco 1991)

1. A Right to Sing the Blues
2. That's the Way I Feel About It
3. I've Got to Remember
4. I Want My Baby Back
5. Walkin' on Thin Ice
6. I'm Jealous of Her Husband
7. Angel
8. I'm Gonna Give It Up
9. You Better Change Your Ways
10. You Left a Goldmine for a Golddigger

**1/2More
soul, R & B and blues from Milton. Highlights are the peppy "You
Left A Goldmine For A Golddigger" and a lengthy slow blues that
Milton can always be relied on for ("A Right To Sing The Blues").
The sterile production hasn't aged as well as most of his other
Malaco sessions.

Albert King/Little Milton "Chronicle" (Stax 1992)

Fine (but unnecessary) mini-compilation of prime Stax material for each artist is merely an advertisement to get newbies interested in either's rich Stax catalog.

1. Can't You See What You're Doing
to Me
2. Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven
3. Angel of Mercy
4. I'll Play the Blues for You
5. Breaking up Somebody's Home
6. That's What the Blues Is All About
7. If That Ain't a Reason (For Your Woman to Leave You)
8. That's What Love Will Make You Do
9. What It Is
10. Tin Pan Alley
11. Behind Closed Doors
12. Let Me Back In
13. If You Talk in Your Sleep

"Strugglin' Lady" (Malaco 1992)

1. Strugglin' Lady
2. My Dog and Me
3. Cafe Woman
4. You Were Always on My Mind
5. Let Them Talk
6. If This Ain't the Blues
7. Nickel and a Nail, A
8. She Never Gets the Blues
9. I Keep Falling For You
10. Bending the Rules

***The
title track alone would make this worth this purpose. An outstanding
midtempo soul song extolling the virtues of a good woman who's
working hard to "feed her hungry babies". Milton's earnest delivery
sells the song as well. Some of Milton's best stomping soul blues
cuts are here. Most notably is the cute "She Never Gets The Blues".
Why? "Because she gives them all to me!". Milton also shows he's a
an exquisite interpreter of other's material. He does a convincing
version of "Always On My Mind" to the O.V. Wright burner "A Nickel
And A Nail".

****Two
disc 48 tracks set dwarfs MCA/Chess other hits collection but is
nevertheless imperfect. Though it contains most of the hits,
B-sides, key album cuts and even two Coca-Cola radio spots(!) it is
missing two hits- inexplicable for a two disc anthology of this
phase of his career. Both "I'll Never Turn My Back On You" (#31 R &
B) and "Somebody's Changin' My Sweet Baby's Mind" (#22 R & B) are
gone. In addition there is an inferior alternate take of the great
"Man Loves Two (Man's Temptation)" minus the hit take. These glaring
flaws prevent this from being the essential collection of Milton's
Chess years.

"Greatest Hits" (Malaco 1995)

1.
Blues Is Alright, The
2. Room 244
3. Annie Mae's Cafe
4. Nothin' to Write Home About
5. My Dog and Me
6. Strugglin' Lady
7. I Was Tryin' Not to Break Down
8. Little Bluebird
9. Walking the Back Streets and Crying
10. Catch You on Your Way Down
11. Possum in My Tree, A
12. Murder on Your Hands
13. Comeback Kind of Love
14. Going, Going, Gone

"Live At Westville Prison" (Delmark 1995)

1. I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water
2. Eight Men, Four Women
3. Friend of Mine
4. Medley: How Could You Do It to Me/Part...: How Could You Do It To
Me / Part Time Love / Somebody's Sleeping In My Bed / I Got To Love
Somebody's Baby / Walking The Back Streets And Crying / Little
Bluebird / Drowning On Dry Land
5. Bad Luck
6. You're the One
7. Loving You (Is the Best Thing That Happened to Me)
8. That's How Strong My Love Is

***1/2This
CD is a combination of two concerts recorded separately in a single
day in 1983 at the prison. First show for men, second for women.
Highlights include an emotional reworking of "Eight Men, Four
Women," a 16-minute medley of soul and blues songs, and the deep
soul classic "That's How Strong My Love Is." Lucky Peterson plays
organ on this date.

"I'm A Gambler" (Malaco 1994)

1. Casino Blues
2. I've Got the Blues
3. Poke Salad Annie
4. Like a Rooster on a Hen
5. Pledging My Love
6. Love Is a Gamble
7. That's All Right
8. Baby Please
9. You've Been Gone Too Long
10. Man Needs a Woman, A
11. That's What a Good Woman Can Do

***1/2 The
bluesiest of Milton's Malaco discs. The material is strong and
Milton sings and plays like he's in his prime. Highlights include
the humorous "Casino Blues," the cocky "Like a Rooster On A Hen,"
and the bayou swamp rocker "Polk Salad Annie".

"The
Complete Stax Singles" (Stax 1995)

1 If That Ain't a
Reason 3:25
2 Mr Mailman 2:44
3 I'm Living off the Love You Give 2:50
4 That's What Love Will Make You Do 3:51
5 Before the Honeymoon 3:08
6 Walking the Back Streets and Crying 6:13
7 I'm Gonna Cry a River 3:40
8 What It Is 3:24
9 Rainy Day 4:14
10 Lovin' Stick 2:51
11 Who Can Handle Me Is You 3:06
12 Tin Pan Alley 3:51
13 Sweet Woman of Mine 3:30
14 Behind Closed Doors 4:01
15 Bet You I Win 3:19
16 Let Me Back In 3:01
17 Let Your Loss Be Your Lesson 4:23
18 If You Talk in Your Sleep 3:21
19 How Could You Do It to Me 4:59
20 Packed Up and Took My Mind 4:39

"Cheatin' Habit" (Malaco 1996)

1. Kick My Cheatin' Habits
2. How Does a Cheatin' Woman Feel
3. What Do You Do When You Love Somebody
4. This Time They Told the Truth
5. It's Time for the Blues
6. It's Hard to Stumble
7. I Wouldn't Take Nothing for Your Love
8. Shake, Rattle & Roll
9. I Worry About You
10. The Other Man

****Little
Milton is the king of the soul/blues genre. Z.Z. Hill may have lead
the soul/blues revival but Little Milton took the baton and has run
with it with solid album after solid album for Malaco Records. This
CD is proof. Opening with the bouncy-blues swagger of "Cheatin'
Habit", the disc never lets up in quality. Particularly noteworthy
is Milton's definitive version of Z.Z. Hill's discofied-hit "This
Time They Told The Truth". Here Little Milton Campbell restores it
to a bluesy soul ballad and unleashes one of best, most impassioned
vocals to date! This is as good as the genre gets. So, despite the
superfluous "Cheating man/woman" theme, any fan of contemporary
blues should add this to your collection now!

"Rockin'
The Blues" (MCA Special Products 1996)

budget compilation of Stax cuts

1. Grits Ain't Groceries
2. If Walls Could Talk
3. Just a Little Bit
4. Poor Man's Song, A
5. So Mean to Me
6. Let's Get Together
7. Without My Sweet Baby
8. I Play Dirty
9. Blind Man
10. Baby I Love You

"Count The Days" (601 Music 1997)

1. I Will Survive
2. I'll Catch You on Your Way Down
3. 4:59 AM
4. Jealousy
5. You Just Can't Take My Blues
6. Penitentiary Blues
7. End of the Rainbow
8. Too Much Pain
9. Count the Days
10. Nobody's Sleeping in My Bed

**Budget-minded
sampler of Malaco material- not necessarily his best. It does
contain three songs from "I Will Survive" ("I Will
Survive", "Jealousy", "4:59") which has yet to appear on CD. So you
can get some of the songs here if you don't mind the repeats.

"Greatest Hits: Chess 50th Anniversary Collection" (MCA/Chess 1997)

1. We're Gonna Make
It
2. So Mean to Me
3. Blind Man
4. Who's Cheating Who?
5. We Got the Winning Hand
6. Man Loves Two (Man's Temptation)
7. I Feel So Bad
8. More and More
9. Let Me Down Easy
10. Grits Ain't Groceries
11. Just a Little Bit
12. Let's Get Together
13. Poor Man's Song
14. I Play Dirty
15. Baby I Love You
16. If Walls Could Talk

*****Tidy
16-track hits collection is perfect if you are looking for a concise
portrait of Milton's most successful period commercially. All the
biggies are here from "So Mean To Me" to "We're Gonna Make It" to
"Grits Ain't Groceries", "More And More" to "If Walls Could Talk".
There are more thorough collections of his Checker material but
there's no fault in this disc.

"For Real" (Malaco 1998)

1. Big Boned Woman
2. He Saw Me an Opening
3. I'd Rather Be With You
4. What Our Love Needs
5. It Hurts Me Too
6. Rainy Night in Georgia, A
7. To Love Somebody
8. Blues For Mr. "C"
9. If That's What You Wanna' Do
10. I'd Rather Go Blind
11. Tear This House Down Tonight

**This
isn't the place to begin your Little Milton collection. There are
far better latter-day CDs to choose from. This was obviously
intended as Little Milton's "crossover" album to a blues/rock
(white) audience, as evidenced by the heavier blues/rock sound and
plethora of white blues/rock guests. (Susan Tedeschi, Delbert
McClinton, Government Mule, Peter Wolf, Dave Alvin, etc..). Despite
some strong performances (Milton's duet with former J. Geils singer
Peter Wolf on "Two Loves", "Never Trust A Woman" with the Blasters'
Dave Alvin, "Mother Earth" with Susan Tedeschi), the overall
calculated feeling of the disc results in an uneven album. Milton's
two "solo" numbers, "Right To Sing The Blues" & "Lump On Your Stump"
show that he doesn't need outside guests to get the job done.
Thankfully, Milton returned to the horn-drenched soul/blues he has
mastered since signing with Malaco in 1984 with his next CD, FEEL IT

"Feel It" (Malaco 2001)

1. Juke Joint in My House, A
2. Born Yesterday
3. If You Give Me Your Heart
4. I Gotta Get Away from You
5. Shot from the Saddle
6. Baby Let Me Rock You
7. Love of a Woman, The
8. She Know How to Wear a Hat
9. Lovable Girl
10. You're Givin' Me the Blues
11. He's Got You
12. Lady

****This
is a big step up from Milton's last disc, the duets-heavy "Welcome
To Little Milton", which leaned too copiously on the
blues-rock side of the fence. This new CD has Milton back in the
master's territory- soul & blues. Things kick off right with "Juke
Joint In My House", a humorous blues tune about his friends trying
to take over his house and turn it into their own party hangout.
Milton resists at first, but before the song is over he exhorts a
pal "If you can't beat 'em- join 'em/ So while your up-fix Mr. C
some Hennessey". "Born Yesterday" is a melodic soul/blues cut where
his woman tells him: "I might have been born yesterday...but I
stayed up late last night"! The whole disc is Grade-B+ to A
material, from the country soul cover of "He's Got You" to the
risqué "She Knows How To Wear A Hat"; Milton sings and plays crisp
blues guitar like the legend he is.

"The Complete Checker Hit Singles" (Connoisseur Collection 2001)

1. So Mean to Me
2. Losing Hand
3. What Kind of Love Is This
4. Blind Man
5. Were Gonna Make It
6. Whos Cheating Who
7. Your People
8. We Got the Winning Hand
9. When Does Heartache End
10. Man Loves Two
11. Feel So Bad
12. Ill Never Turn My Back on You
13. More and More
14. Teh Dark End of the Street
15. Let Me Down Easy
16. Grits and Groceries
17. I Cant Quit You Baby
18. Just a Little Bit
19. Lets GT Together
20. Poor Man
21. If Walls Could Talk
22. Baby I Love You
23. Somebodys Changin My Sweet Babys Mind
24. I Play Dirty

*****The
best compilation of Milton's Checker period yet released. This set
includes hits the others excluded ("I'll Never Turn My Back On You"
(#31 R & B) and "Somebody's Changin' My Sweet Baby's Mind" (#22 R &
B), plus other songs missing from the previous comps ("Dark End Of
The Street", "I Can't Quit You Baby", "When Does Heartache End").

"Guitar Man" (Malaco 2002)

1. Guitar Man
2. Take Time Out to Hear Me Some Blues
3. Still Some Meat Left on This Bone
4. Blues Tune-Up
5. I Could Have Saved Our Love
6. I Wish I Could Be Your Lover
7. You Were on the Right Street
8. Juke Joint Is Calling Me, The
9. Mr. and Mrs. Untrue
10. Just One Moment
11. Whenever You Come Around
12. My Way

****The
cover features Little Milton sitting in front of a wall of guitars
as if to remind people that not only is he a great singer/songwriter
but also a great blues guitarist. This CD will remind you of this
fact. Milton adds his stinging licks on most of the blue/soul gems
here. The first four tracks are all A-List blues cuts, especially
"Blues Tune-Up". This track will go down as a Milton classic, and
"Take Time Out To Hear Some Blues", "Juke Joint Is Calling Me" &
"Still Some Meat On This Bone" should become jukebox favorites.
Although this CD is heavy on the blues, fans of his soulful side
will be equally pleased. "You Were On The Right Street" has those
soulful horns and undeniable chorus tat southern soul fans will be
requesting on the radio. "I Could Have Saved Our Love" is a stunner-
a slow, deep-soul masterpiece penned by George Jackson that features
a terrifically melancholy vocal by Milton. This disc even includes
Milton's understated version of "My Way".

****Excellent
27-track compilation of the majority of Milton's pre-Checker (Chess)
material for Sun & Bobbin Records. The first 12 cuts are from Sun
revealing a major talent with an ability to sound like everybody
from B.B. King to Fats Domino. The remainder of the disc focuses on
Bobbin material. Two of the cuts, "That Will Never Do" & "I'm A
Lonely Man" were near hits and have been covered countless times by
other artists since. Although not yet his prime this is an essential
purchase to complete your Little Milton discography.

DISC 1: (Little Milton)
1. Still Some Meat Left on This Bone
2. Just One Moment
3. I Don't Believe in Ghosts
4. Catch You On Your Way Down / Annie Mae's Cafe / Little Bluebird
5. I Wouldn't Take Nothing For Your Love
6. Blues Is Alright, The

***This two-disc
set includes live tracks by Little Milton, Mighty Sam McClain, and
Reverend Raven & His Chain-Smoking Altar Boys recorded at the
Kalamazoo Blues Fest in Kalamazoo, MI, in 2001 & 2003. The first
disc features Little Milton and his country and gospel-infused brand
of guitar blues, highlighted by the nearly 20-minute "Slow Blues
Medley." The second disc collects six-song sets from both McClain
and Reverend Raven. A good listen but not groundbreaking or
career-defining by any means.

Little Milton "Think Of Me" (Telarc 2005)

1. Gonna Find Me Somebody to Love
2. Let Your Love Rain Down on Me
3. Blues Is My Companion, The
4. Something Wonderful
5. Gone With the Wind
6. I'll Be
7. Next to You
8. Think of Me (Thinking of You)
9. Reconsider Me
10. Second Hand Love
11. Feel Like a Man
12. That's Where It's At

****Well,
Little Milton Campbell's Malaco Records years have ended after a
great run of 14 soul blues albums for the label in nearly two
decades. My first reaction was dismay as Milton's thick soul vocals
and crackling guitar sounded divine in front of Malaco's horn-backed
production ethic. His first for Telarc, is a slight departure from
his usual style. Produced and co-written mostly with Jon Tiven (who
also produced discs by Wilson Pickett & Sir Mack Rice), "Think
Of Me", discards the strings, horns, and lavish production
for a Southern swamp groove- with a full band feel. Jon Tiven and
Peter Shoulder share guitar solos with Milton. Bruce Katz plays some
soulful organ. Ellis Hooks and Scat Springs deliver solid background
vocals to several of the tracks. The romping opener "Gonna Find
Somebody To Love", and the slow blues "Blues Is My Companion" sound
like the Milton we've come to love but then we are surprised by the
country backbeat driven "Gone With The Wind" that grows on you on
repeated listens. "Reconsider Me" (not the Lowell Fulson track) is
reminiscent of 1970s Milton and "Next To You" is a swampy blues
rocker. It took me a few listens and overcoming my wish for horns to
realize this is one of the finest blues releases of 2005.

Nobody
knew it would be his very last concert but fortunately
it was recorded for posterity. I'll be upfront Little
Milton Campbell is one of my all time faves and though
I'm hoping there's some studio cuts still in the vaults
I'm glad this live recording has been made available.
One thing that's unique about this project is that it's
spearheaded by Little Milton's wife, Pat Campbell, who
even writes some touching liner notes. The set was
recorded July 9th, 2005 at the North Atlantic Blues
Festival in Rockland, Maine with Milton in fine form.
Affable, humorous and full of power, our man plows
through a selection of his classics and then current
hits in his classic style of gospel-inflected guitar
Blues. "Still Some Meat Left On This Bone" is a great
show starter and somewhat ironic in light of his
unexpected passing because had plenty "meat" left in
him- his voice still had the power and his axework is as
sharp as ever. Few people could play slow Blues like
Milton and the nearly 21-minute "Medley" is proof
positive, incorporating "Catch You On The Way Down",
"Annie Mae's Cafe", 'Walking The Backstreets Crying" and
"A Possum In My Tree" into one string-bending jam.
Milton interacts with the audience throughout the
proceedings with humor and graciousness but he'll sting
ya with a guitar lick. But Milton the singer is what
most pay to hear. One of the highlights is the soulful
"Just One Moment" which combines his penchant for tender
phrasing followed by a burst of passion coming from the
gut. We miss you Mr. C. This concert will also be
available as a DVD. Get it while you can.

"Stax Profiles" (Stax 2006)

1. Let Me Down Easy
2. I Can't You Baby
3. That's What Love Will Make You Do
4. Walkin' the Back Streets and Crying
5. Blind Man
6. Thrill Is Gone, The
7. If That Ain't a Reason (For Your Woman to Leave You)
8. Behind Closed Doors
9. If You Talk in Your Sleep
10. Tin Pan Alley
11. I'm Living Off the Love You Give Me
12. Blue Monday
13. Lovin' Stick
14. Little Bluebird

"The Very Best Of" (Stax 2007)

1. If That Ain't a Reason (For
Your Woman to Leave You)
2. I'm Living Off the Love You Give
3. That's What Love Will Make You Do
4. Before the Honeymoon
5. Walking the Back Streets and Crying
6. Eight Men and Four Woman
7. I'm Gonna Cry a River
8. Let Me Down Easy
9. Rainy Day
10. Little Bluebird
11. What It Is
12. Tin Pan Alley
13. Behind Close Doors
14. Woman Across the River
15. Let Me Back In
16. If You Talk in Your Sleep
17. Packed up and Took My Mind

"Little Milton Sings Big Soul" (Kent 2014)

1 Misty Blue
2 A Nickel and a Nail
3 Rainy Night in Georgia
4 Can't Trust Your Neighbour
5 What Our Love Needs
6 A Man Needs a Woman
7 Caught in the Act (Of Gettin' It On)
8 You Left a Goldmine for a Gold Digger
9 That's the Way I Feel About 'Cha
10 Gonna Have a Murder on Your Hands
11 I'd Rather Go Blind
12 Strugglin' Lady
13 This Time They Told the Truth
14 Mr. and Mrs. Untrue
15 Lovable Girl
16 I Had a Talk with My Baby Last Night
17 The End of the Rainbow
18 We're Gonna Make It